Big Love (2006) s05e02 Episode Script

We're still the same store we were two weeks ago.
We are family here and we value that.
Family? I don't think so.
- Nicki: What's that? - Barb: Red wine.
And what are you doing with wine? I want to explore new things, find a way to live more in the moment.
- Oh! - Mom, this is Gary.
- I know who he is.
- Why were you just so mean? - You're only 15.
- And I like him.
I misjudged you and hearts on a sleeve is dead.
Michael: You look about as sad as sad can be.
You have 60 days to leave the country.
Ana: Well, at least I have some good news.
The baby is healthy.
The doctor said he was very strong.
- It's a boy? - Oh yes, didn't I tell you? You knew there was no recall in Utah, no impeachment except for felonies.
You are an embarrassment.
You're alone.
He never had to suffer as you have.
He took away everything I loved.
I was purified in the desert.
Now I'm going to purify the faith.
( Theme music playing ) Home, is this my home? been starting over bathe in the water home, is this my home? been starting over bathe in the water home, is this my home? been starting over bathe in the water.
"what I say unto you love your enemies," bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you "and pray for them which" - "Despitefully.
" - " Despitefully use you and persecute you.
" See, boys, what this means is it may take people just a little more time to to get used to us.
They may be busy or distracted or they may need our help.
I want all of you to pray tonight, asking God to help you be more loving to people, even if they seem like enemies to you.
Wayne, honey boots.
All right, Bill, I've I've tried calling your mother again.
It just rings and rings and rings.
I'll check in with Jodean, find out what's going on.
How are things at the store? - Cara Lynn said it's touch and go.
- It's still tense.
Good news on the safety net front though.
The Attorney General's office signed on.
If I can corral the compounds, drag 'em to the table, we'll be seen as reformers.
I think it'll blunt a lot of hostility out there before it gels.
Oh, I think it's already gelled.
Barb and I got attacked in the supermarket.
- Didn't she tell you? - No.
Two women went off on us.
- They were yelling, "lying polygamists! " - Nicki: Cara Lynn.
Let's all be present and try to be here together with one another.
- Mathletes is tomorrow.
- Nicki: Please? It's okay, sweetheart.
Go ahead.
Look, I know it's rough out there.
I'm working as fast as I can to get this safety net meeting up on its feet.
Defusing the charge that we have some kind of polygamy agenda is our one path through this thing.
- What is that, hon? - Goji-blast.
I told you about it.
I'll pour you a glass.
I thought I might try my hand at selling it.
( Coughs ) Is it supposed to taste like this? I'd work from home, make my own hours.
It's Michael Sainte, multilevel marketing.
Like avon? That could be good.
It was only an idea.
I can't treat you unless you tell me who gave you the hormones to start with.
I already told you my doctor, who left town.
Miss Grant, the fact that you were impregnated at your age by a doctor whom you refuse to name why can't you just write me a prescription? Because there are serious legal and ethical issues here.
Carrying this baby to term presents very real hazards.
The potential for complications is extremely high.
I understand that my pregnancy is not sustainable without aggressive hormone therapy.
But if you are suggesting that I give up this baby, I must tell you I am a deeply religious woman who regards all life as a precious miracle, and even if something seems out of the blue, there's always a greater plan at work.
How is this out of the blue? This was clearly planned, right? Of course.
I assume you can at least produce your files.
No.
They were destroyed in a fire.
- ( Bell tolling ) - Bill: I want to get state agencies and polygamist leaders to sit down together and talk.
If we can get into the compounds, offer support to the women who want out, we can break the cycle of abuse.
Look, sounds great in theory, but how are you going to make it work? The meeting's already planned.
I just need help with creating the infrastructure.
Saint flora's has a long history of coordinating public and private agencies and a network of shelters and programs already in place.
Yes, but so are a lot of other organizations.
Why ask us? I mean, after all, polygamy is a mormon problem.
Sister, the abuses of polygamy aren't a mormon problem.
They're a human problem.
You know as well as I do in this town there's the mormon church and then there's everybody else.
The LDS church is determined to ignore the compounds out out of fear of being associated with them.
You're the only ones without a tangled agenda.
Think about it.
Nancy: This really shows you how difficult it was on the trek west.
Have you seen this room's oh.
Um, why don't you go on to the next gallery? I'll catch up with you there.
What are you doing here? I was hoping we could talk.
I told you last week I have nothing more to say.
You will never know what it was like to turn on the evening news and see you the four of you.
Right.
You're right.
I don't know.
And I don't want to rehash it, but I want us to rise above it.
Last week you called me intolerant.
No, you're the only person I know who's gone through this too.
We're being pilloried.
Everything we say or do gets twisted.
When was I ever pilloried? When you stood up against the John birch society.
When you marched for the era.
Well, I never realized you cared so much for my political causes.
Well, I finally understand what you went through and how strong you had to be.
I joined Sunstone.
You did? My word! Why? Well, I thought it was something we could do together.
- Mmm.
- Hmm.
I've already volunteered to participate in a symposium.
Mae you could join me.
It's about families and mothers and daughters Bonds between them, the challenges they face.
I don't know.
I I just need to be with you.
Margene, you're still so young, and people start over again all the time.
Yeah, I have a whole life here.
I can't just pick up and go.
I'm not saying forever, but here, everywhere you go, people stare at you like you're a zoo animal or something.
Well, what kind of life is that? You've got to leave.
Get away from here.
Get away from this town.
I didn't know you were stopping by.
Oh my gosh, I love this song! Who will save your soul - ( Volume increases ) - When it comes to the flowers now? How are you feeling? Are you taking your multivitamins? - Yes.
Thank you for asking.
- Who will save your soul after those lies that you told, boy? Did you get our message about the job opening up in accounting? Oh, I love this song! When it first came out, my mom listened to it like 10 million times.
- Margie, it's a bit loud.
- It's so moving, you know? It's so sad, you know? She just wanted to get out.
She's just a girl who wanted to get out.
I know, honey, but turn it down.
Oh, you know what else is good? Marge, are you okay? Yeah yeah, no no no.
I'm fine.
I'm fine.
Maybe we should call it an evening.
- Yeah.
- No no no no no no.
No, please.
Just wait.
I gotta I'll find, um um oh! Oh! You know what's good? - Here, this is so good.
- ( Music stops ) - ( Music playing ) - Oh, this one's good! This one's good.
Me and my girlfriends used to dance to this.
We'd go, uh we'd we'd do this.
( Laughing ) You were working as a waitress in a cocktail bar - ( Music stops ) - Bill.
I don't understand what's gotten into you.
- We should stop for tonight.
- No.
No no no no no.
Please don't go.
It's still early.
- We have time for one more hand.
- I'm tired.
- No, please don't go.
- I'm tired, really.
- Give me the coat.
- No, please.
- Bill, it's okay.
It's okay.
- I said no! - Ahh! - Ana! - ( Ana groans ) - Ana! - Are you all right? - ( Speaking serbian ) - Ana, are you okay? - I think I'm okay.
I'm okay.
I'm okay.
Okay, I'm fine.
Ooh.
I think Ana and Goran are a bad influence.
- They make her unhappy.
- Let's not talk about that till we have to.
Ana's here for now, so the baby's staying.
I know there's a lot going on, but you know I saw your bottle in the cupboard.
How long is this phase of yours going to continue? Well, Bill, I don't exactly have a planned end date.
Well, I'm not saying that, but I don't want you to drink in front of the children.
You're not going to shame me and turn me into a closet drinker.
- There she is.
- ( Gasps ) Um, you know, maybe this isn't such a good idea after all.
I don't even know her anymore.
I represent Sandy in the senate.
She represents Sandy in the house.
We have to start building our allies on the hill.
- Well, then you talk to her.
- I'm not the one who used to babysit her.
Set it up for Friday.
Friday? I I have a class.
- What class? - I'm I'm taking a dance class.
Tonight then.
I don't care.
Midge? Barbara! Is that you? I can't believe you lied to me.
I get the Sunstone newsletter and this is what's included inside "schisms: The impact of excommunication on families.
" That's what this panel is really about, isn't it? Not mothers and daughters.
You lied to me.
Well, I was going to tell you, but I knew that you'd overreact.
Look, just forget excommunication.
That's an unfortunate coincidence.
I would have spoken on that panel if it were on polar bears.
Well, here's another unfortunate coincidence.
I'm not going.
I'm not about to give a blow-by-blow account of one of the most painful experiences of my life.
- Mother, please - Unlike you, I'm not an exhibitionist, Barbara, hanging my dirty laundry out for the whole world to see.
- No, just cancel it.
- No, I won't.
I am going.
I have to.
And I need you to come with me to help pave the way.
- For what? - I need a community, mother.
I have become so isolated.
I need a place to explore questions questions of faith even with open-minded people.
- Fine, go.
- No.
I may be a new member, but it's not lost entirely on them that I am one of the infamous lying polygamists.
No, you have been a charter member for 35 years.
I was hoping you would introduce me.
So sue me.
Well, why couldn't you have said that in the first place? Well, because I didn't want another lecture on polygamy and how I've brought it all on myself.
All right, I'll go with you.
But there's a vast difference between "I need you, mommy" and "I need something from you.
" Bill: It's called safety net, bud.
It's state-sponsored.
Juniper creek's already on board.
Look, I don't give a rusty hubcap if juniper creek's showing up.
The world doesn't rise and fall on juniper creek.
We're all tired of living under the Grants' shadow.
Well, I applaud your independence, bud, but we need you at that table to show that there's strength in numbers.
Why? What's at stake to us? To the doctrine of multiple mortal probations? I've been Joseph Smith, king Arthur, Isaiah, Benjamin Franklin and William Wallace from "Braveheart.
" - Really? - I have no use for the state.
Well, you see, bud, I've been elected to senator, and that means I work with the state.
And since you have eight wives and 27 children all on government assistance, i think you do have some use for the state and I think we could help each other.
The meeting is Thursday at 2:00.
Excuse me, ladies.
( Timer ticking ) ( Timer dings ) That is correct.
Contestant number 17, you are the winner of this year's - Utah math and science association tournament.
- Whoo! Man: Congratulations! - Man: Congratulations.
- ( Chatter ) Excuse me.
- You're Cara Lynn's mother, aren't you? - Yes.
She shouldn't be here, you know.
I beg your pardon? Why is that? She's too advanced for this division.
She breezes through everything faster than I can teach it to her.
Sorry, I'm Greg lvey.
- I'm Cara Lynn's math teacher.
- Nicolette Grant.
Her file says that she's been homeschooled until this year? Someone's done a very good job.
Thank you.
Excuse me.
Congratulations.
That was so I just got lucky.
No, you were awesome.
I mean it.
I think you're so special.
- Have I got news for you.
- Mom, what's going on? We've been calling and calling.
You can't not pick up your phone.
Gee, I'm sorry.
I I don't know what happened.
Uh, could could the battery have run out? I stopped by 'cause Jodean said you could use some help.
Why would I need help? I'm fine.
So you're not having night terrors? Is that what she said? And you believed her? Frank's the one terrorizing me.
Won't you ever learn? ( Wind whistling ) I put in a work order for some maintenance with the UEB.
Some mess-up with the paperwork.
I paid my tithe.
I'm sure your father's behind this.
- What happened over here? - ( Flies buzzing ) What? Oh that.
Your father tried to burn me out.
What? He wants my money.
What else is new? I'm lucky he didn't burn the house to the ground.
I'm on to him though.
( Sighs ) That money is hidden good.
You want a sandwich? I got some bread and some cream cheese.
Stay in the car, okay? - Yeah.
- Yeah.
( Music playing ) He hills were alive with wildflowers and I was as wild, even Wilder than they for at least I could run, they just died in the sun and I refused to just wither in place just a wild Mountain rose needing freedom to grow Mommy! Mom! So I ran fearing not where I'd go oh oh when a flower grows wild it can always survive wildflowers don't care where they grow.
- ( Beeps ) - I went to the place where our trailer used to be and everything's gone.
It's all over.
And, I mean, I lived there for eight years with my mom and I just I couldn't wait to get out.
I promised myself that I would do something, that I would be somebody.
And then I looked over at my kids and I love them.
I love my babies, I do.
But all I could think is, "what was I even thinking? How did I even get here?" Oh, I'm so sorry.
You don't want to hear this.
No no, I I do.
Um, I think about the future a lot too, about what kind of life that I want.
Cara Lynn, you have to listen to me.
If opportunity knocks, you have to take it.
You have to go as far as you can and as fast as you can, and you can't look back.
You have to go to college and then to grad school, and you can't let anybody stop you, okay? So you've got to promise this to me.
You have to promise this to me.
I I promise.
Hey, you have a sec? - I'll go give Nell her bottle.
- Thank you.
- Where'd you go? - Oh, I was out just driving around.
Honey, you look like you're crying.
Oh.
You know I'm here for you anytime.
We can talk.
We can pray together.
- I know.
- Or scripture.
There are so many verses that I've turned to in difficult times.
I appreciate that, Barb.
Yeah, maybe later.
( Sniffles ) Marge, would you like a blessing? A blessing? Yeah, just a just a small one.
I mean sometimes we ache in ways that only heavenly father can help us with.
Right here.
Close your eyes.
Okay, are you ready, sweetie? Margene Gretchen Heffman, by the power of the holy melchizedek priesthood - what's going on in here? - Barb's just giving me a blessing.
You what? Uh, not exactly.
What does that mean? - Was she? - No.
I don't I don't think so.
- I don't know.
- It's just olive oil, Nicki.
What's it for? It's in case I have a sudden urge to toss a salad.
For heaven's sake, it just happened.
It's not a big deal.
And maybe not everything is so cut and dried.
I understand you're taking a dance class now.
Yes, I am.
It's helping me find my center of gravity.
Thank you for asking.
Here are vouchers for two plane tickets and some money to help you settle in for whatever you need.
So you're having us leave the country.
Not just Goran, but both of us.
Well, it's not exactly like we imprisoned you.
Just about.
Isn't this what you want? It is what we want.
But you were trying to get me the job.
You we trying to convince me to stay, trying to keep your baby.
We've learned we can't impose our will on you.
I don't believe you.
It sounds like you want us to leave.
No, Ana.
I just want what's best for you.
I still just get super concerned about the pornography issue.
There is such a crying need for more public awareness.
It only takes a moment for a child to see an image that Both: Stays with them for a lifetime.
One of our boys has been participating in the virtue campaign at school.
I'm very pleased.
The schools have given it a good push.
- Carrots, major? - No, thank you.
- Midge.
- Thank you, mother.
Anyway, safety net uses the threat of the Attorney General's office to get the compounds to the table to accept reform.
It's voluntary so far, but if it's going to work and I believe it can it's gonna need long-term funding and support.
I'm going to submit a Bill at interim next week and I'd sure like you to sign on.
I was told you made a deal with Thorne for a seat on senate appropriations.
Is that going to hold up under senator barn? - He and I are discussing it now.
- Oh.
It's awfully nice to see you again, Barbara.
Oh, midge, thank you.
I feel the same.
And I'm glad to see you're still eating your vegetables.
How's your poor mother, Barb? How's she doing? Still hung up from that whole Betty Ford thing? - Mother, please.
- Oh, that was a big stinkeroo if ever there was one.
I saw in the Sunstone flyer you and Nancy are speaking at the symposium.
When did you become a member? Just a favor to my mother.
- What are you speaking on? - What's Sunstone? Uh, it's it's like a club, kinda like a club.
Your father was Roman Grant.
Yes, major, he was.
You're like that girl on that documentary I was watching about that man - midge: Mother.
- No no no.
The woman the daughter, Victoria Gotti.
The mobster's daughter.
She admitted her father was a murderer.
Bill: Major, Nicki is our in-house reformer and safety net is an important reform program.
Midge, I'd really like to count on your support.
My election's landed us in a bit of a sideshow.
I guess I'm trying to say I could use a friend right about now up on the hill.
Bill, I see what's in it for you.
But yours is an agenda I'm not certain I'm comfortable with.
No offense, but it'd be a bit like legalizing marijuana or prostitution.
I'm not trying to legalize anything.
I'm trying to reform something.
Well, you know what I mean.
Look, this is what I've learned tonight.
You're a good man, a spiritual man.
You have a lovely family.
I respect that.
So let's take it one day at a time.
Fair enough.
Barb: I found it.
- Oh, here you go, sweetie.
- Thanks, Barb.
Oh.
Great, now she'll be up all night reading.
"Jane eyre" is a great novel, Nicki.
It happens to be my favorite.
Can I ask? Why have you joined Sunstone? - It's just a think tank.
- I'm not ignorant, Barb.
It's a hotbed of malcontents and freethinkers and doubters is what it is.
- Yeah, maybe from your point of view.
- Don't twist this around.
We're married and I'm entitled to a straight answer, not something all wishy-washy.
All I want is to do something that makes me happy.
Why is that so hard for you to understand? Pre-Christmas sale at the store ends Friday.
Everyone should go and stock up.
You know one source of genuine happiness? Service.
And do you know why? 'Cause when you're busy helping others, you don't have time to agonize over all the little ways that life doesn't please you.
Nicki, I told you, stop picking on her.
Give things a chance to heal.
How long are you gonna give her a free pass? You're our priesthood holder.
- She has to be brought back in line.
- S's struggling.
We need to give her a little longer leash.
Do we? I caught her trying to give Margene a blessing.
- A blessing? Barb? - Yes.
Marge asked for a blessing? Margene wouldn't know what a blessing was if it bit her on the nose.
Barb pushed it on her, as best I could tell.
But Barb wouldn't.
She doesn't have the authority.
She knows that.
It's all connected.
Don't you get it? The wine, the dancing and this Barb's not just careening, Bill.
Whatever she's up to, it's intentional.
How come you didn't invite me to your dance class? Uh, to be honest, I didn't think you'd want to.
'Cause it's the kind of thing, you know, people usually do together.
Well, I'm sorry.
Did you want to go? And the Sunstone thing we used to talk about big decisions.
Well, it wasn't big.
Mother just asked me to join.
It was her way for us to spend some time together.
Well, is it going to be controversial? It's not about our going public, if that's what you mean.
Well, how can it not be? As soon as you step up, it's what everyone'll be thinking.
Anything we do that's the least bit provocative right now will only shoot us in the foot.
Bill, I can't not live my life and hide just because everywhere I go I'm wearing some kind of Scarlet p.
Don't worry.
I'll be careful.
That's all I'm asking.
Oh, Nicki! Thank you.
Sardines.
( Gasps ) And and peaches from South America.
Oh, this is so generous.
All this wonderful, delicious food.
You're very welcome.
Did everything go well at the doctor's? Yes, though you'd think he was running fort knox.
Getting a measly prescription for the hormones and some syringes was like pulling teeth.
I'm going to a meeting this afternoon.
It's Bill's safety net thing he created.
Yes, we've heard about it.
I hope it's the right thing, Nicki inviting the state into our affairs.
Mama, do you want to come with me? - Are you finally ready to speak out? - I can't.
If anyone's suffered, if anyone's in the position to tell it like it is I I can't.
I'm not a victim.
Honey, you know that.
I believe in what we're doing here.
I believe in your father's works.
- Mama, it's empty.
- I know.
Albert moved out.
He wanted something newer that was pure.
That's very important to him now.
You're staying by yourself? With no one to look after you? What if they throw you in the hole again? Honey, I appreciate your concern, but this is where I've been the happiest with your father.
And I need to be with that now.
Sometimes we have to walk from the past and sometimes we have to embrace it.
Heaven help us to know the difference.
Angela Lebouf, church of the lamb of the first-borns.
Alfred Woodsteed, the house of innumerable saints.
Deva Pitstone, box elder county cooperative society, representing Hollis Greene.
Bud Mayberry, apostolic united brotherhood.
Vera Petticrew, interested observer, Sweetwater group.
Debbie Upshaw, under protest, tapestry against polygamy.
Eleanor Spitland, Millennia park.
And to those joining us from afar - palm Ridge? - Here.
- Juniper creek.
- Albert Grant, present.
Okay, to you, representatives of the polygamist communities, and to you, representatives of state agencies, welcome.
Welcome to safety net.
We're all here with a shared goal to ensure that people of all polygamist communities have the same educational opportunities and access to justice, safety and services as the general public.
We may have divergent voices and interests, but here we can find consensus.
I'd particularly like to acknowledge sister Mary Catherine Angus of Saint flora's family council, - who has graciously agreed to - Excuse me.
Yes, Mr.
Grant.
Millennia park is a non-official, non-recognized breakaway sect.
We are not a breakaway sect.
We separated from juniper creek in 1989.
Let's not wander off into the weeds here.
We're an officially incorporated municipality.
We have a nationally recognized charter school.
And we have our own academy.
Juniper creek's academy was closed down in 2003.
The trustees reopened it in 2004.
That's a lie, Albert.
Papa shut down the academy and you know it.
There's no High School education for anyone at juniper creek, and no education for girls of any kind.
I should know.
And that's exactly what we're here trying to address.
- If that's my sister, she's mistaken.
- No.
Girls are treated as chattel, traded as commodities like cattle - That's enough, Nicki.
- Brainwashed to have babies till our uteruses fall out or we drop dead in childbirth.
Nicki, this isn't the place.
She's telling the truth and it needs to be said.
- Bill: Please.
- This is a travesty.
- Bud, bud, please, don't go.
Come back.
- This meeting is an outrage.
You're using your office to legitimize the compounds and legalize polygamy.
- That's not true! - Bill Henrickson, you're a liar! - Charlie? - You're a liar because you lie.
- Everyone, please - Man: That's right, you are a liar! ( All shouting ) - He's a liar! He's a liar! - Please, just calm down, calm down.
( Shouting continues ) - ( Button clicks ) - ( Video stops ) We had dinner with midge last night and she brought the major.
Ugh, that awful woman.
- Are we going to be on time? - Yeah, we'll be there soon.
I'm sure that clock works well.
What does that mean? - It means it means.
- And what does that mean? - It just means what it means.
- Mother.
It means that Bill is a jackass for making you drive this decrepit junker.
- Those are for dance class.
- Mm.
Sunstone, dance class all sorts of new hobbies.
You know, I struggle every day with my beliefs, mother, big and small, just as much if not more than you do.
Congratulations.
Good for you.
I am desperately trying to find my voice and share my truth.
Well, I'm glad to hear it.
Instead of just always kowtowing to Bill's fundamentalist tropes.
( Sighs ) Please.
Please just let's not start.
And I'm hardly the only woman in this decrepit junker whose back aches from kowtowing.
- What are you implying? - Ned.
At least it took guts for me to marry Bill.
I didn't just get married because I needed a priesthood holder.
And, yes, the major brought up Betty Ford.
Let's just not forget that whole mess.
All right, you stop right there.
Just leave Betty Ford out of this.
Just get this crate moving, please.
Let's just get there and get this over with.
It was Charlie and that new guy from shipping.
They threw the meeting into chaos.
Don: I watched it online.
It was streamed live across the state.
Peg called.
She heard about it on the radio.
So-called prophets ran for the hills like squealing pigs.
I've got to get everybody back to that table.
This thing can't fall apart.
I picked up a flyer in the break room.
Someone's trying to organize protests in front of the stores.
Bill, how could you? What are you doing here? How could you? I just saw Ana and she told me everything! How could you send them away like that? Ana and Goran are part of my life and they're leaving.
- I know.
- I thought that baby was part of our family.
He is part of our family.
Then how can you send them away like they mean nothing? That baby is my son, sent to us to raise and bring to heavenly father as part of our celestial family.
I know that to be true.
But you were sent to us too, Margene, and I chose you.
No, you can't no, don't do that to me.
You're putting your eggs in a leaky basket.
I'm sinking, Bill.
Look at me.
My mom is dead.
My business is gone.
I have three kids and, I'm sorry, but I don't see a fourth on the horizon.
I'm three credits short of a High School diploma and my marriage is really really complicated.
I need a big timeout.
Oh God, I really do.
My excommunication was devastating.
It was like I didn't know where I lived anymore, like I was exiled from myself.
! Lt's taken me a long time to come to terms with that, but it led me to question, to really look at the things we've been taught, the ways our religion has been interpreted, and now to reach out to others and find a new community you know, as long as we're talking about excommunication, I I'd just like to speak for a moment about how hard it can be on the loved ones as well and of the decisions that led up to the excommunication and how they tore the family apart.
Well, the focus of this panel really is on the aftermath.
For instance, my daughter, as you all know but are too polite to say, is a polygamist.
Her excommunication was difficult, true.
But the schism happened years before and it was when she decided to submit to her husband and follow him into polygamy.
No, that was not the way that it happened.
She abandoned her religion and she abandoned us.
No, I chose the path that I believed to be right for me.
Oh, Barbara, please.
You are all but brainwashed.
Mother, no, you closed the door on me.
- What? - Yes.
Which is something that I would never do to my own child.
You were the one who cast me out.
The church had nothing to do with it.
That's just not true.
And as far as Betty Ford is concerned, I never abandoned that woman.
I adored her, and everybody in this room knows this.
I'm the one that backed her invitation to come speak to us, wasn't I? There's just nothing more to say.
( Murmuring ) Nancy over p.
A.
: Cindy, it's your mother.
Who do you think it is? I need a ride.
Barbara.
Well, of course she did.
And then she rubbed my nose in the whole Betty Ford thing all over again right in front of everybody.
Boy, they ate it up.
Someone please go get her Mike.
( Pills rattle ) Lois: Hey.
Have I got news for you.
I just really think some extra tutoring would help Cara Lynn develop her talents and gifts.
I understand, but I have a full load this semester and she's doing fine.
Cara Lynn, would you step outside for a moment? I'd rather stay.
Cara Lynn grew up on a compound.
So did I.
They are corrupt, emotionally deprived places that - it's not always like that.
- Sweetheart.
I am determined that my daughter achieve her God-given potential.
Anything that helps erase the effects of 15 years of indoctrination on her psyche, then that's what we're doing.
Don't get me wrong.
I'd like to help, but You're the one who has to decide, Cara Lynn.
Is this what you really want? I appreciate everything you're trying to do here, mom, but I am okay.
I can study on my own and I've got work after school anyway.
Maybe that isn't such a good use of your time.
But I like my job.
Honey, I'd prefer if you focused on your studies instead.
I think we need to quit the job.
- This is about Gary Embry, isn't it? - Absolutely not.
But while we're on the subject, dating before you're 16 keeps you from other experiences that will help you meet your true eternal partner.
I'm looking for someone looking that I can talk to at school.
He's disrespectful to Bill.
- And how do you know that? - It's in his manner.
- I've overhead him speaking.
- So now you eavesdrop? Sometimes.
What of it? This place is no different from a compound.
Don't you ever say that.
Please, don't press me on this.
You are quitting home plus and you are not seeing that boy! You need to focus on your future, and Gary Embry is nothing but a dead end.
Some criticize us and say we're too uptight, but I say don't knock us because we have different values than you.
Pornography strikes in many ways, even the provocative pornographic-inspired aerobics classes in gyms.
We're not saying ban gyms.
We're merely saying that those aerobic rooms should have blinds and curtains on them so the people who do not wish to see offensive material - do not have to do so.
- ( Applause ) Hey, what do you think of that? Pretty cool, huh? I don't think so.
Ahem.
Senator-elt.
I came to pick up my son Wayne and to drop off the proposed safety net authorization Bill.
My wife Barb baked these cookies for your family.
Thank you.
I'll, um I'll take a look at your proposal and get back to you.
What's going on here? And you have every good right to know.
I'm looking for a co-sponsor in the senate for a Bill.
What for? It's not personal, Bill.
It's just politics.
It's a knife to my throat and you say it's not personal? I have no choice.
Our mutual constituents are up in arms over you and their anger's only growing.
The world saw how your safety net meeting went.
I can turn all that around.
- I just need time.
- Wake up.
You've ignited a firestorm in the district.
There are protests and boycotts being organized.
It's ugly out there and it's about to get a lot worse.
Come on, son.
Let's go home.
What? They're three for $25.
Oh.
Is Cara Lynn working tonight? No, and she won't work here again, and I don't appreciate you interfering in the life of my daughter.
What are you talking about? Terrorizing her with tales of your childhood misery? Children are like tender seedlings.
We have to protect them and nourish them before they're ready for the outside world.
- Okay.
- Cara Lynn is impressionable.
And as her mother, I have to protect her.
Nicki, the only thing Cara Lynn needs protecting from is you.
It's obvious you're totally traumatized by your past and projecting it onto your daughter.
What? You went through a lot when you were Cara Lynn's age.
- You were raped.
- I was not raped! Nicki, you were pushed into a marriage that was forcibly consummated.
It's only natural that seeing Cara Lynn go through adolescence should freak you out.
But she's just being a normal kid and you're just gonna scare her away.
If I'm protective of Cara Lynn it's only because she isn't exactly surrounded by reliable female role models.
All right, whatever's going on, can we just park it? - It's been a stinky week already.
- ( Camera clicks ) Yes, it's us, the lying polygamists! - Go tell your friends.
- ( Camera clicks ) Ugh, let's get out of here.
No, wait a minute.
We are not done here, not by a long shot.
I may not know for a fact which one of you gave this to Cara Lynn, but judging by the smutty drawings, I can take a guess.
Don't look at me.
And I resent being associated with smut.
Margene didn't give Cara Lynn that book.
I did.
Ah, I should have known.
No wonder Teenie had a dirty magazine habit.
Nicki, "our bodies, ourselves" is perfectly appropriate for our daughters.
It's the book my mother gave to me and I gave to Sarah.
And we all saw where that led! - And right under your nose too.
- Excuse me? I will not have my daughter defile her body - the way yours did.
- ( Gasps ) Th was cruel, insensitive and horrible.
What is the matter with you? You should be ashamed of yourself.
( Chatter ) Let us begin.
I invited you in my homes to get us back on track.
This safety net experiment must go forward.
Don't talk to us like we're children.
That meeting you lured us into was disrupted because of you.
The principle was doing just fine before you brought this scrutiny upon us.
I think bud's right.
You are the lying polygamist.
It's in all the papers.
You've reinforced the worst stereotypes about us.
The principle can't survive in the glaring light.
- It needs protection.
- I'd expect that from you.
It's the secrecy and abuses that will kill us.
I'm trying win us a seat at the table.
We can only win respect to the extent that we are respectable.
Is that so? Well, I've heard that, thanks to you, we're on the Eve of a new witch hunt.
There's new legislation on the table to hunt us down and wipe us out.
- That's what he's won us.
- Where did you hear that? You think we don't have connections on the hill? What's he talking about? The legislation targets me.
Polygamy will explicitly be redefined as an impeachable offense and recriminalized as second-degree felony.
Citizens will be able to sue the Attorney General for not enforcing the antipolygamy statutes.
Such a visionary, Bill.
Such a keen tactician.
Yes, I stuck my neck out and drew attention.
But how do you want to live? Subservient? Safe if we stay in our place? Does that give you self-respect? Is that how we honor our faith? This is what your pride hath wrought.
Now blood will rain down from the skies.
And I say we move forward, working together.
Whether we like each other or not, we play ball.
They want to come in the compounds, we let 'em.
Same with our houses.
There is no other sane choice.
Barbara, what are you doing here? You have to leave now.
Everyone's coming after us.
I didn't know where else to go.
- Can we talk? - I'm I'm sorry.
I just can't.
Everyone's talking about our blow-up at sunstone.
And ned is just livid.
He's forbidden me to see you or even speak to you.
It's not right to ask us to submit.
It's not right of them.
It's like Betty Ford all over again.
- Well, raise hell, mother, like you did then.
- No.
I lied.
I I campaigned so passionately for the equal rights amendment.
- You know that.
- Well, of course I do.
You inspired me.
You know how hard the church came down against the era.
- I asked Betty to come and speak to our group.
- I know.
They wanted me to disinvite her, but I held out.
I got her on that plane, but they pushed back even harder.
And I caved.
I couldn't face her.
I just left her at the airport waiting for someone to come get her, someone who never came.
Mother.
And now there's nothing I can do to redeem myself.
Would you give me a blessing? Oh, Barbara, I can't do that.
Yes, you can.
No no.
You have to ask that of of your husband and your sons.
But I I think we hold the priesthood too, mother, not just men.
You do.
We all do.
I believe there's a basis in scripture.
I know it to be true.
Does Bill know you feel this way? I think he senses something.
What you're saying goes against everything.
It it goes against the proclamation of the family.
It goes to the very heart of what we believe in.
- Please hear me out.
- No.
What you're asking how can you ask this of me? How could you do that? Dear heavenly father, by the authority of the holy melchizedek priesthood, i give unto this child a blessing.
I pray you will have a life full of joy.
And if you should ever want it, should you ever need it, you will always have your place in this family.
In Jesus's name, amen.
Don't forget about us.
Never.
Barb: What's going on? Oh no.
( Door opens, closes ) ( Door opens, closes ) ( Sighs ) Margene, I want you to know you have permission to choose to to go.
I have no desire to go to Serbia.
No.
To leave the family If this marriage makes you unhappy, if I make you unhappy Because you deserve to be happy.
- Thank you, bye bye.
- Thank you very much.
( Chatter ) Bye bye.
Good job.
Hi.
I wanted to say I was sorry for what I said about Sarah.
Nicki, this is where I com to have my own space.
I said I was sorry.
Well, it's clear everything I do irritates you.
I know you think I'm indulgent and frivolous.
Maybe I'm envious.
I see you doing things just because you want to.
Maybe I wish I could do the same.
And I don't want Cara Lynn to turn out like me, scared underneath.
I hope she turns out more like you.
What do you do here anyway? Just the standard dances, you know? Actually, I don't.
I've never danced before.
Well, it's easy.
Put one hand here and the other hand here.
You'll never know just how much I miss you you'll never know just how much I care and if I tried I still couldn't hide my love for you you ought to know for haven't I told you so a million or more times? you went away and my heart went with you I speak your name in every breath if there is some other way to prove that I love you I swear I don't know how you'll never know if you don' know now how I miss you I speak your name in my every breath if there is some other way to prove that I love you